Matthew Hartney didn't need to show up at the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce last Tuesday.
The former North Battleford finance director had previously agreed to meet with the Chamber to give a rundown on the city budget and the impact all the changes would have.
But that was before he accepted a new position with the municipal government in Huntsville, Ont. His last day at City Hall was Sept. 6.
Nevertheless, the now ex-finance director honoured his commitment to appear before the Chamber and met the board at their Sept. 17 meeting.
Hartney's appearance took on a different format than planned. Instead of speaking for the City, Hartney spoke in more general terms about municipal government, finances, taxes, infrastructure challenges and other topics.
The discussions that ensued, lasting an hour, were open and frank. Hartney did not hold back, expressing his views on the challenges and pressures facing municipalities, including some of the practices of municipal governments in Saskatchewan and around Canada.
He was vocal in his support for more accountability to the public.
Hartney said he was proud of this year's North Battleford finance report, with the final version to be posted at the City website.
As for North Battleford, Hartney spoke positively about his experience living and working here, but he also said people in the city could be "our own worst enemy sometimes."
He remembered being stopped on the street by someone who commented about how the City was going to go under because of the CUPlex and the unmanageable debt load.
Hartney recalled "being taken aback" and having to spend about 20 minutes trying to set the person straight on the facts, telling him North Battleford was actually in a strong cash position of almost $17 million.
He warned focusing on the negative would hold the City back.
"There's so many good people and so many positive people. At the same time there's also a lot of folks spreading negativity," said Hartney. "Rather than being boastful of the great things, a lot of people are focusing on the small negatives or rumours."
